NBC stations would like to see Leno-O’Brien shift

NBC has instantly created TV’s hottest drama, a storyline with ego, pride and millions of dollars at stake: how to fix the problem it created by moving Jay Leno to prime time.

Faced with poor ratings for both “The Jay Leno Show” and Conan O’Brien’s “Tonight Show,” the network is said to be considering returning Leno to his 11:35 p.m. EST slot and moving “Tonight” to midnight – a change that NBC’s hard-hit affiliate stations would eagerly welcome.

Many stations have complained that the ratings for their 11 p.m. newscasts have plummeted because Leno’s 10 p.m. show is such a weak lead-in.

“I think Jay Leno’s a great performer. He’s just at the wrong place at the wrong time. There’s nothing wrong with making mistakes. There is something wrong with not correcting them,” said Bob Prather, president and chief operating officer at Atlanta-based Gray Television Inc., whose station group includes 10 NBC affiliates.